Former Yankee Mariano Rivera honored in Trenton for charity work

Former Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera throws out the first pitch for the Trenton Thunder at Arm & Hammer Park on Thursday night. (Trentonian photo/Jackie Schear)

TRENTON — Mariano Rivera was honored by the MVP Foundation (Medicine Via Philanthropy) at Arm & Hammer Park Thursday night for the work he and his family have done with the Mariano Rivera Foundation.

“It’s a privilege,” Rivera said of being honored at a Thunder game. “Although I never played here, but it’s part of the New York Yankees. It’s part of the New York Yankees — it’s part of me. So I’m privileged to be here and to be awarded. Thank God for that.”

When Rivera was introduced, it was announced that he was not being honored for his championship rings, not for all his saves — but for being a great human being.

According to Rivera’s website, the goals that his foundation have attained and/or hopes to attain include providing health clinics for children, obtaining hospital ambulances and rescue vehicles where needed and creating the Annual Incentive Scholarship Program, which provides finances to underprivileged students that show a determination to succeed.

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Rivera threw out the ceremonial first pitch and was presented with a $50,000 check from the MVP Foundation for the renovation and reopening of the Refugio de Esperanza (Refuge of Hope) church in New Rochelle, New York in March. His wife, Clara, is now the pastor of the 107-year-old establishment.

Rivera played 24 seasons, all with the Yankees. He won five championships while he was in the Bronx (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009). The core to those four teams was Rivera, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte. Three of those have retired and Jeter will at the end of this season.

“You have to understand that that moment had to come sooner or later,” Rivera said about Jeter’s retirement signaling the end of the era. “It did come for three of us and at least (Jeter) says it has come to him... We have just been blessed that we were able to play so many years together and accomplish a lot of good things.

“I’m glad that Derek has stayed healthy. That was my prayer and that’s what I want. I want him to stay healthy and make sure that he enjoys his last year.

Rivera met with the Thunder players in their clubhouse before the game. He talked with them, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

“My advice is to stay hungry,” Rivera said. “Just make sure that you want that and if you want just go for it. Passion is the key.”

Jacob Lindgren, the Yankees top pick in the 2014 draft and a relief pitcher, met Rivera for the first time before Thursday’s game against Altoona.

“I throw a little cutter sometimes too, so I’m like, ‘hey I’m just trying to be like you,’” Lindgren joked. “He was a great pitcher and hopefully I can be a great pitcher like him one day.

“He’s a great reliever, one of the best of all time, he’s always someone to look up to.”

Rivera retired after the 2013 season as Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in saves with 652. “The Sandman” said that he has enjoyed retirement.

“Can’t complain — wonderful.”

“I love being home,” he said. “Me and my wife, my kids, my family — I missed that — 24 years of my life I missed that. Thank god that I’m there.”